Melvyn "Mel" Rieff
Please join us in celebrating the remarkable life of Mel Rieff by sharing your stories and photos here.
Melvyn Allan Rieff passed away suddenly on March 18 2021. Mel is survived by his beloved wife Margery Lewy Rieff. He was the loving and proud father of Benjamin Rieff (daughter-in-law Mollie Rieff) and Amanda Rieff Baker. He adored his grandchildren, Louis and Margot Rieff, and Simon Baker. Mel was brother-in-law to Al and Colleen Lewy and loving uncle to Jack and Charlie Lewy; Michelle and Joel Rieff, and great-uncle to Violetta and Rohilla Rieff. Mel was preceded in death by his beloved parents Aaron and Betty Rieff, brother Robert, and nephew Jason.
Mel was a generous, loving, and affectionate soul. He never knew a stranger and collected friends from all walks of life. He was an adoring husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. Mel was a father figure to many and a loyal friend to many more. People remember his brilliant smile, intelligent conversation, loving hugs, and intense generosity. Mel participated in life with full abandon. When he wasn’t spending time with family and friends, golfing, or reading, he was involved in a myriad of social activities. Mel enjoyed the Humanists of Greater Portland, a Classics Book Club, the Gresham Golf Course, and a neighborhood movie group. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and his laughter and smile lit up the room. Mel’s love for people was unconditional and his presence felt like a warm embrace. He would want those he left behind to remember that he loved them fiercely.
Mel was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. He graduated from Niles East High School (1961) and continued his schooling at the University of Illinois where he studied Philosophy and English Literature. He went on to graduate from the University of Illinois Law School. Mel worked as the Assistant City Attorney in Carbondale until being promoted to City Attorney at the age of 25. He then worked as an environmental lawyer in the State’s Attorney’s and Attorney General's Office of Illinois. Mel pursued real estate tax law and started his own law firm in 1992, "Rieff, Schramm, and Kanter. " He was a well-respected lawyer and is remembered fondly by professionals and friends alike. Mel and Margie left Illinois in 2005 to retire in Fairview, Oregon where they have since resided.
Mel’s sense of generosity and justice extended to a global level. As a world traveler, Mel celebrated and donated to communities in need. A few of his favorites included: Equal Justice Initiative, Lesedi School and Clinic of Zimbabwe, and Community Transitional School of Portland, OR. He was the friend that always insisted on paying for dinner. We can envision Mel, with a dismissive hand wave and a serious nod, saying "No, no, I got this." We have included links to some of the causes that Mel and Margie supported. If people are moved to donate to a cause in Mel's honor, the family appreciates that gesture.
The Rieffs are grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and family.
Please join the family for a Memorial Celebration of Life for Mel on June 27, 2021 at 2:00pm on Zoom.
Please see attached link for Zoom Celebration of Life.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84251462607?pwd=aUtqdnE2clRnY0hmVXVHOUtIOGtHUT09
Meeting ID: 842 5146 2607
Passcode: 195788